Daily Current Affairs 24th May 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

International News

World’s Highest Observatory Inaugurated in Chile by University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo has inaugurated the Atacama Observatory (TAO), which has been awarded a Guinness World Record for being the highest observatory in the world. Situated at a staggering 5,640 meters above sea level on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, TAO stands as a testament to human ingenuity and determination.

World Economic Forum Founder Klaus Schwab To Step Back From Executive Role

Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), will transition from his current role to become chairman of the board of trustees by January next year, according to an emailed statement from the Geneva-based institution. This move is part of a planned “governance evolution” from a founder-managed organization to one where the president and the managing board assume full executive responsibility.

European Countries Recognize Palestine, Israel Recalls Envoys

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Ireland, Norway, and Spain have formally recognized Palestine as a state. In response, Israel has recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway, with warnings directed at Spain. This move adds to the diplomatic tensions amidst the escalating violence in Gaza.

Banking News

HDFC Bank Exits Protean eGov Tech, Sells Entire Stake

HDFC Bank divested its entire 3.20% stake in Protean eGov Technologies, amounting to 12,94,326 shares, for Rs 150 crore. The shares were sold at an average price of Rs 1,160.15 apiece through an open market transaction. Simultaneously, Nippon India Mutual Fund acquired a 3.16% stake in Protean eGov Technologies for Rs 148 crore.

HSBC and SBI Acquire Stakes in CCIL IFSC

HSBC and State Bank of India (SBI) have made strategic investments in CCIL IFSC Limited, acquiring 6.125% stakes each, valued at ₹6.125 crore each. This move is aimed at bolstering their presence within Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City, India’s premier international financial services center.

Business News

Mahindra Finance Expands Services with IRDAI Approval

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services, a prominent player in India’s non-banking finance sector, has secured a corporate agency license from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This license empowers Mahindra Finance to act as a ‘corporate agent (composite)’ under the Insurance Act, 1938, facilitating the distribution of insurance products.

Awards News

Scientist Srinivas R. Kulkarni Honoured with Prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy

Srinivas R. Kulkarni, an Indian-origin U.S. scientist and brother of renowned author Sudha Murty, has been awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy for 2024. This prestigious recognition celebrates Kulkarni’s groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astronomy, including his pioneering work on millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other transient astronomical phenomena.

Jenny Erpenbeck’s ‘Kairos’ Wins International Booker Prize

German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann have won the prestigious International Booker Prize for their novel “Kairos.” The book, which tells the story of a tangled love affair during the final years of East Germany’s existence, beat out five other finalists from a pool of 149 submitted novels.

Science and Technology News

Noise Acquires Women’s Wellness Platform SocialBoat to Bolster Smart Ring Innovation

Leading smartwatch and connected lifestyle brand, Noise, has announced the acquisition of the AI-powered women’s wellness platform SocialBoat. This strategic move is part of Noise’s broader strategy to advance innovation in smart rings, particularly its flagship wearable, the Luna Ring.

Sports News

Australia to Host AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed Australia as the hosts for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The continental football governing body made this announcement after the AFC Executive Committee ratified the recommendations of the AFC Women’s Football Committee at its meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

‘Let’s Move India’ Campaign Celebrates Olympians Bound for Paris

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched the “Let’s Move India” campaign in collaboration with the Reliance Foundation and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation. The initiative aims to celebrate the Olympians heading to the upcoming Paris Olympics and encourage everyone to participate in physical activity.

Ranks and Reports News

Over 4000 Gangetic Dolphins in India: Indian Wildlife Institute

According to a recent report by the Wildlife Institute of India, there are more than 4000 Gangetic dolphins in the Gangetic River basin. Over 2000 of these dolphins are found in Uttar Pradesh, primarily in the Chambal River. This increase suggests that the river’s pollution levels are declining, and the government’s conservation efforts are proving effective.

Important Days

UNGA Proclaimed May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor. This resolution, sponsored by Pakistan and eight other countries, aims to raise awareness and promote the conservation of this iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia.

World Turtle Day 2024 Celebrated on 23rd May

World Turtle Day, celebrated annually on May 23, aims to raise awareness about the unique lifestyle and habitats of turtles and tortoises. While often mistaken for one another, these reptiles have distinct differences. Turtles are aquatic creatures that live in water, while tortoises are land-dwelling animals. Additionally, tortoises can live up to an impressive 300 years, significantly longer than the average 40-year lifespan of turtles.

Miscellaneous News

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Leads Nation with Zero Waste to Landfill Accolade

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has made history as the first airport in India to achieve the prestigious recognition of zero waste to landfill (ZWL). This commendation comes from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII-ITC) Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, confirming the airport’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices.